Liverpool scout "complete and dominant" 17-year-old defender at World Cup

In their ongoing mission to unearth footballing talent from around the globe, Liverpool have reportedly turned their attention to Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, a promising young defender from Morocco.

The teenager has caught the eye of scouts at recent youth tournaments and at just 17 years of age, Ait Boudlal's performances, notably at the U17 World Cup, have positioned him as a player of interest for the Merseyside club.

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are tracking the "complete and dominant defender" who is said to be a "tenacious tackler" and shows "significant composure on the ball."

Currently honing his skills at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Sale, Morocco, Ait Boudlal is lauded for his comprehensive defensive capabilities.

Liverpool's interest in young talent is part of a broader strategy to bolster their academy ranks with promising players who have demonstrated their potential on international stages.

This approach has seen the Reds historically make the most of top young talents that have come through the ranks. Just recently, Liverpool won the Carabao Cup final thanks to youth talent like Conor Bradley and Jayden Danns.

Additionally, Liverpool's scouting network has kept tabs on another rising star, Luis Guilherme of Palmeiras, further indicating the club's dedication to investing in youth as a cornerstone of its future strategy.

A report from journalist Jorge Nicola at the close of February claimed that Liverpool were on the verge of submitting a bid for the Brazilian talent. This, however, has not transpired.

A brief scout report on 17-year-old Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal

At the U17 FIFA World Cup in Indonesia in 2023, Boudlal was a standout performer.

He scored once but as a you would expect from a 6 foot 3 centre-back, the teenager was most valuable to Morocco in defence.

With an 88% pass success rate his passing was quite good but his 88% aerial win rate is the most significant stat. While the levels are a world apart, Virgil van Dijk wins 81.6% of his aerial duels.

The Dutchman is also the best centre-back in the world. There's a long way to go for Boudlal to reach the same level as the Liverpool captain but Merseyside would be the best place for him given the Reds' emphasis on relying on young talent.